A major new hub for cyclists riding to work in Manchester city centre has been given the Olympic seal of approval by London 2012 gold medallist Steven Burke. The Olympic hero was given a sneak preview of the new City Tower Cycle Hub in Piccadilly Gardens on Friday.

The hub is the first of its kind in Greater Manchester and provides showers, toilets, changing areas and lockers, as well as secure cycle parking for up to 200 cyclists – all for less than £1 a day. National cycle retailer Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative will also be based within the cycle hub providing members and non-members with bicycle repair and servicing facilities, cycle-based maintenance training programmes, and the opportunity to collect goods ordered online.

Dave Newton, Strategy Director at Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM), explained that the cycle hub was the first facility to be built with the £4.9 million investment they received from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, which TFGM was awarded in July 2011. The cycle hub is part of the Greater Manchester Commuter Cycling Project, and plans are in place to use the investment elsewhere across the region.

Olympic champion, Steven Burke, said: “It was great to see the new hub facility at City Tower. It’s got everything you could ask for as a commuter, and hopefully it’ll encourage even more people in the city to ride their bikes to work.”

Steven was joined by Councillor Chris Paul (TfGM Committee), Councillor Nigel Murphy (Manchester City Council's executive member for the environment), Bruntwood’s Brand and People Director Kate Vokes and Martin Gibbs, British Cycling’s Director of Policy and Legal Affairs. Gibbs said afterwards: “It’s great to see Manchester making investment in improving facilities for commuters. With secure bike racking, showers, lockers and a staffed maintenance shop this is a very well thought out facility and I'm sure it will be a success. Getting more of these built all around the UK will definitely encourage more people to cycle to work.”